Sheerness RNLI lifeboat launched to two separate incidents in a matter of hours

The first call was to a Jet Ski with problems in the Thames Estuary followed later that day by a call to Upnor, in the River Medway, to a dinghy with engine problems and its lone occupant who was feeling unwell.

The volunteer crew of the Sheerness inshore lifeboat launched at 12.38pm on Friday 3 July after being tasked by the UK Coastguard to reports of a Jet ski with one person onboard that had broken down and was drifting East of Allhallows on Sea in the Thames estuary close to the entrance to Yantlett Creek.The casualty was located at 12.54pm and was quickly taken under tow back to the shore with its occupant.

The lifeboat was released at 1.15pm and returned to station at 1.37pm. Wind SW 5/6.

Later that day at 3.59pm the crew of the inshore lifeboat were called out again by the UK Coastguard to assist a man who was feeling unwell and in difficulties in a dinghy at Upnor in the River Medway.

Having launched at 4.13pm the lifeboat made best speed in the prevailing conditions and located the casualty at 4.53pm.The man had managed to get to a pontoon close to Chatham marina which unfortunately for him did not have access to the shore.The crew quickly rigged a tow line and took the dinghy and its occupant to Sun Pier,Chatham where friends were waiting to assist him.

The lifeboat was released at 5.17pm and was back on station at 5.50pm where after re-fuelling and cleaning was ready for further service.

Wind W force 6 with good visibility.

• Always wear appropriate safety equipment, which must be well maintained and in good order

• Always make sure your craft is seaworthy and properly maintained.

• Always carry at least one working means of communication.

• Always let someone ashore know your itinerary such as where you are going and what time you will be returning.

• Always check the weather forecast for the local area.

An in depth forecast for our local area is published daily on the Sheerness RNLI Facebook page

• If in doubt do not go out!!

• In any coastal emergency dial 999 or 112 and ask for the Coastguard.

Ends

RNLI Media contacts:

Vic Booth RNLI Lifeboat Press Officer (Sheerness) 07926904453 / 01795 880544 / [email protected]

Paul Dunt, Regional Media Officer (South East), 0207 6207426, 07785 296252 [email protected]

· For enquiries outside normal business hours, contact the RNLI duty press officer on 01202 336789

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The RNLI charity saves lives at sea. Its volunteers provide a 24-hour search and rescue service around the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland coasts. The RNLI operates 238 lifeboat stations in the UK and Ireland and more than 240 lifeguard units on beaches around the UK and Channel Islands. The RNLI is independent of Coastguard and government and depends on voluntary donations and legacies to maintain its rescue service. Since the RNLI was founded in 1824, its lifeboat crews and lifeguards have saved over 146,000 lives.

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